Pirates Shopping Jose Tabata; Snider and Mazzaro Could Be Available

Rob Biertempfel tweets this morning that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been shopping outfielder Jose Tabata.

https://twitter.com/BiertempfelTrib/status/445918492018372610

As Biertempfel points out, a trade might be difficult, since Tabata is set to make $12.25 M over the next three seasons. He will make $3 M this year, $4 M in 2015, $4.5 M in 2016, and has three option years beyond that with a total of $750,000 in buyouts ($250,000 per year).

Last year Tabata had a 1.1 WAR, which is worth at least $5.5 M on the open market. So his contract isn't that bad if he can repeat that success. That 1.1 WAR would be worth $16.5 M over three years on the open market. If that WAR represents his value, then he'd be worth about $4-5 M, which is a Grade B hitter or two Grade C pitching prospects. The downside to this is that other teams might be willing to try their own internal options, hoping for a one win player at a cheaper salary.

Tim is the owner and editor in chief of Pirates Prospects. He started the site in January 2009, and turned it into his full time job during the 2011 season. Prior to starting Pirates Prospects, Tim worked with AccuScore.com, providing MLB, NHL, and NFL coverage to various national media outlets, including ESPN Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, and the Wall Street Journal. He also writes the annual Prospect Guide, which is sold through the site. Tim lives in Bradenton, where he provides live coverage all year of Spring Training, mini camp, instructs, the Bradenton Marauders, and the GCL Pirates.